The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

Sometimes a book just blows you away and you’re left speechless – so here are my starstruck (or would it be bookstruck?), random thoughts about QofA. And to think I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get around to reading this (!).

I liked the Thief, but wasn’t amazed by it (I know, I know, I’m in the minority here). Yes, the huge, come-out-of-nowhere plot twist ending was superb, and I loved the rich world she has created based on ancient Greece and the Mediterranean. But I have to admit that when Gen was about to begin a story of one of the gods/goddesses, I sometimes looked ahead or took that as my cue to put the book down. I also got lost in the descriptive details and all the getting there – the hiking, camping, eating, and sitting by the fire was a little much for my taste. But I stuck with it and once they reached the cave the previous slowness was time well spent as I breathlessly read the conclusion. Unfortunately however, the rest of the book was enough to turn me off to the series for the time being.

Fast forward several months, while awaiting some of my current to-reads to come in at the library, I decided to pick this one up, since I’d heard the series only gets better. Needless to say, I have no excuses for not giving QofA a chance earlier, because I absolutely loved it!!! The political intrigue; the military strategy; the intelligent, politically-savvy Queens; and the ever-surprising, self-deprecating thief of Eddis, complete with Turner’s signature plot twists and turns and even a surprise romance for folks like me. THIS BOOK HAS IT ALL! I can’t wait to pick up the King of Attolia and hold on, did I just here there’s a new book coming out this year?! *Sigh* I’m in book heaven.